Childcare Centre Lawyers: Buying, Selling and Leasing

Serving Melbourne's Chinese community since 1990 · Mandarin-speaking lawyers · Queen Street, Melbourne CBD

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A childcare centre is a business that only works with the right approvals in place. Chua Tan Associates acts for buyers, sellers, operators and property investors in childcare transactions, in English and Mandarin.

Buying a childcare centre

When you buy a centre, you are buying the right to keep operating it. That depends on the regulator approving the transfer to you, and on your own subsidy approval being in place in time. If the contract and settlement are not aligned with these approvals, a buyer can end up owning a centre it cannot run. We help structure the contract around:

Your provider approval and the transfer of the service approval
Child Care Subsidy approval for the new operator
Staff, enrolments, waitlists and records
The premises lease and any landlord consent
Conditions, deposits and what happens if an approval is delayed

Selling a childcare centre

We help sellers prepare for buyer due diligence, agree a realistic timetable for approvals, and limit exposure for issues after the transfer date.

Childcare property investment (Victoria)

Many investors buy the freehold of a centre leased to an operator. The value of that investment depends heavily on the lease: its term, rent reviews, operator covenant and guarantees. We act on Victorian childcare property purchases and on leases for landlords and operators.

Why Chua Tan Associates

Contracts, approvals, lease and property advice in one place
English and Mandarin, for local and overseas buyers
Experience with family businesses buying and growing multiple centres

Frequently asked questions

Can I settle before the approvals are through?

That carries real risk. The timing of settlement and approvals should be planned in the contract.

I'm an overseas investor. Can I buy a childcare centre?

Possibly, but approvals, foreign investment rules and who will operate the centre need to be worked through first.

Do you act on centres outside Victoria?

We advise on business transactions Australia-wide. Our property work is Victoria only.

Typical situations (illustrative)

The following are illustrative examples of common issues, not actual cases.

A buyer settles before the transfer of the service approval is approved and cannot lawfully operate the centre after settlement.

Who handles your matter

Justin Chua, lawyer and mediator. He holds a commerce (accounting) degree, worked in finance in Hong Kong, previously held a real estate agent's licence and ran an agency, has run restaurant and accommodation businesses himself, and is an accredited family business advisor and nationally accredited mediator. He reads contracts and leases from an operator's point of view.

More about Justin Chua, lawyer and mediator

Tan Chua has more than thirty years of property law experience and handles property, retail lease and related transactions.

Book a consultation

Speak with us before you sign. Book a paid consultation online, call +61 3 9602 3988, or message us on WhatsApp at +61 490 369 102. We work in English and Mandarin.

This page contains general information only and is not legal advice. You should not rely on it for any specific matter. Please book a consultation for advice on your circumstances.